Tripura LoP Jitendra Chaudhury has questioned the repeated reappointment of retired bureaucrats, alleging irregularities involving senior officials and seeking an independent investigation into allegations related to appointments, financial expenditure, procurement, and administrative functioning in the state.
Leader of Opposition Jitendra Chaudhury on Friday launched a sharp attack on the repeated reappointment of retired bureaucrats in Tripura, alleging irregularities in administrative appointments and demanding an independent investigation into several allegations involving senior government officials.
Addressing a press conference at the Tripura Legislative Assembly, the CPI(M) leader questioned the government’s continued practice of reappointing retired officers, claiming that some officials had been retained in key positions multiple times even after completing their post-retirement tenure. He alleged that the repeated extensions and reappointments have raised serious concerns about transparency and accountability in the state’s administrative system.
Chaudhury specifically referred to retired IAS officer Anindya Kumar Bhattacharya, alleging that he had been reappointed seven times and is presently serving as Special Secretary while simultaneously holding the charge of GAPLT. According to the opposition leader, questions have been raised over Bhattacharya’s continued appointment despite allegations relating to the submission of fake travel allowance bills.
The CPI(M) leader also levelled allegations concerning the procurement and utilisation of seven drones purchased from the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF) during Bhattacharya’s tenure as Director of Fire and Emergency Services. He claimed that the drones were acquired for firefighting and emergency response operations but were never deployed during actual fire incidents or even during mock drills. Chaudhury questioned the necessity and effectiveness of the procurement, calling for a thorough inquiry into the matter.
In another allegation, Chaudhury claimed that lakhs of rupees had been spent on repairing government vehicles at a garage located in Barjala. He questioned the expenditure and urged the authorities to investigate whether public funds had been used appropriately.
The opposition leader also referred to developments involving the Vigilance Department. He claimed that TPS Grade-I officer Jeremy Darlong had submitted his resignation on July 7, alleging that he was unable to perform his duties independently due to pressure and humiliation from a senior officer. Chaudhury said the allegations were serious, particularly because they involved a Scheduled Tribe officer, and stressed that the matter deserved an impartial and transparent investigation.
Chaudhury further raised allegations against Chief Minister’s Secretary Pradip Kumar Chakraborty, claiming that the retired official had received eight post-retirement reappointments. He alleged that Chakraborty had earlier faced allegations concerning land-related irregularities during his tenure as the Sub-Divisional Magistrate of Belonia. The opposition leader also questioned the alleged ownership of land by Chakraborty in and around Agartala and demanded that the claims be independently verified.
Expressing concern over what he described as a pattern of repeated appointments of retired officials, Chaudhury questioned why only a select group of bureaucrats continued to receive extensions and reappointments while other eligible officers remained overlooked. He argued that such practices could undermine public confidence in administrative institutions and called for greater transparency in government appointments.
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Demanding accountability, the Leader of Opposition urged the government to order a neutral and independent investigation into all the allegations raised during the press conference. He maintained that only a fair inquiry could establish the facts and ensure transparency in public administration.
There was no immediate response from the state government or the officials named in the allegations at the time of filing this report.
